Softball

Broncos Win Twice at Cal Poly

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -
Junior outfielder Jessica Clee hit a triple in the top of the eighth, and scored on a Cal Poly throwing error to lift the Broncos to a 3-2 victory in the second game of a doubleheader against the Mustangs this afternoon at Bob Janssen Field. Clee finished with four RBIs on the day as the Broncos also won the first game 4-2 and return to a .500 overall record, at 8-8. Cal Poly is now 7-5 on the season.

Liz Courter struck out seven in the opening contest to earn the win in the circle. Santa Clara opened a lead in the third, after outfielder Jillian Cassel started the frame with a walk and a stolen base. One out later, Jenny Brown's single to right field moved Cassel over to third. The Broncos loaded the bases after Brown stole second and catcher Kate Goethals reached first base on balls. Clee brought two runners in with her two-out single to right center.

Santa Clara added two runs in the seventh. Three Mustang errors put Cassel, Brown and Vanessa Werner on the bases, and a Goethals double to left field brought in two more runs, for a 4-0 lead.

The additional runs were needed, as Cal Poly countered with two scores in the bottom of the seventh. Back-to-back singles by Jackie Gehrke-Jones and Lisa Modglin, followed by a walk to pinch hitter Heather Spraggins loaded the bases. Chelsy Stoufer followed with a single to right field to bring in two scores.

In the second game, Santa Clara scored twice in the first before Clee's game-winning run in the eighth. Brown singled to start the contest, and advanced to second when Werner was hit by a pitch. A sacrifice bunt by Goethals advanced the runners, and once again, Clee's bat brought in two more RBIs, with her double to center.

Cal Poly added runs in the third and fifth innings, and once again, mounted a challenge in the bottom half of the final frame, with a runner on third and only one out. The Broncos quickly recorded two outs to secure the victory.

Santa Clara will participate in the Bulldog Classic by Bingham Toyota next weekend in Fresno. Santa Clara will open on Thursday against Iowa State at 4 p.m. and follow with a Friday contest against St. John's at 9 a.m. Saturday's action includes a 3 p.m. contest against host and 19th-ranked Fresno State and a 7 p.m. meeting with Kent State. On Sunday, the Broncos will close out participation in the event against defending national champion and fourth-ranked UCLA at 11 a.m. and Mississippi at 1 p.m.